Mended: Week 6

As I sat down to write this post, I felt like Sid the Science Kid, tapping on my microphone and asking, “Hey, is this thing on?”

(And yes, for the record, I do watch far too much children’s television.)

It’s been a bit — okay, more like very — quiet in our discussions, but as my husband Ted encourages me, “Maybe this book club will have a long tail.” Yeah, I had to ask what that meant too. Basically, maybe someone in the future will find it, pick up Angie’s book, and decide to post a comment or two.

Our readings this week are “Tree of Mystery,” “One Better,” and “Teacups.” This week it was “One Better” that convicted me.

For those of you who haven’t read the chapter yet — or don’t even own the book — here Angie recalls the day she determined to do “one better.” She’d just swallowed her pride and apologized to her husband Todd after an argument — and not just any argument, but one she was still convinced she was right in. Yet Angie felt prompted not to be content to stop with a simple apology. Angie went on to build up her husband; to “do one better.” For her, doing “one better” became contagious. It started to flow not just into her marriage, but into other areas of her life.

“It’s hard to do everything, but is isn’t hard to just do one better,” Angie writes.

I don’t know about you, but too often I stop at “good enough,” when I could “do one better.” This chapter challenged me to move beyond that and seek to go above and beyond what will suffice, even if it’s only “one better.”

What about you? Like me, do you see ways you could “do one better”? Or perhaps one of the other chapters captured your attention. Whatever the case may be, as Sid might sing, “I wanna learn what you thought of the book.”

Ashleigh Slater is the author of Team Us: Marriage Together and the editor of Ungrind. As a regular contributor at several blogs and websites, she loves to unite the power of a good story with biblical truth and practical application to encourage others. She has 20 years of writing experience and a master’s degree in communication. Ashleigh lives in Atlanta with her husband Ted and four daughters. You can follow her on Instagram here.

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I love being able to just jump in and catch up on comments. What did we ever do before the age of computers? Yes, some of us were around then :-). Guess I better hush and get on with comments of the reading…I am telling on myself!

I was struck by the “One Better” chapter as well. All too often I think I need to win. I keep trying to tell myself it’s not so, but truth be told, it’s the flesh in me. After reading her chapter I was reminded of years ago in my marriage when I would straighten my husband’s dresser drawers or his side of the bedroom because it was a “nice” thing to do. Only to get upset when only two days later it was all rummaged like a herd of wild elephants ran through it! For a time I gave up any of those “kind gestures” feeling he did not deserve my random acts of kindness. God began to teach me in my selfishness to give for the sake of giving, not for the motive of needing something in return. After 34 years of marriage, it is a lesson I remember well, but truth be told I have days I need to be reminded. Angie has reminded me in such a sweet way. A challenging way. I may even make a sign to sit in the middle of my house that says “ONE BETTER” for the days I tend to wander.

Oh and the Tree of Mystery chapter. Beautiful. What appears to be dead to us is potentially keeping a secret to be revealed in the right time. The “gap between death and new life” as Angie says is not easy. She says she will continue to choose the tree that bears the secrets. I want to do the same. How often though do I choose the tree that has already bloomed, so that I can safely see what it is I am choosing?
Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

Karin, I love reading your thoughts! The story you recounted about tiding up for your husband reminds me of how I often react when my kids make a mess after I’ve organized their rooms. Great reminder for me to do “one better” today in my interactions with them.

Welcome to Ungrind!

Hi, I'm Ashleigh Slater, founder and editor of Ungrind. Here at Ungrind, it’s our goal to churn out biblically-based encouragement for women. We strive to be honest and transparent about our struggles in a way that inspires hope, faith, and perseverance. As you read, we hope you consider us friends; the kind you feel comfortable sitting across the table with at the local coffee shop. You can read more about me HERE and our team of writers HERE.

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